Buying a TV licence may seem like an easy task but if you don’t know what you are doing then you can make some big mistakes. This blog will answer some of the most common questions around TV licences to help you avoid some of the problems that people often face when buying their TV licences.
- What is a TV Licence?
In order for you to watch certain programmes that are live, it’s necessary to have a valid TV Licence when you live in the UK. The licence was first introduced in the year 1946 and the aim was to collect license fees from owners of all television sets to fund the BBC, which broadcasted the television shows.
You only need one TV licence per household, even if you do use more than one device! They’re not that pricey either, the overall cost of a colour TV license is £159 while it’s £53 for a black and white licence!
If you do not own a TV Licence but are still continuing to watch or record TV as they’re being shown on TV or live on online TV service, including the BBC – you are going to be breaking the law, so it’s always advised to get a TV Licence so that you’re covered!
- Who needs a TV Licence?
You may not think you don’t need a licence to cover you if you don’t watch live TV but did you know you do need one if you watch online streaming services?
The law justifies that you have to be covered by a TV Licence if you watch or record programmes whether they’re live or not, that also includes Amazon Prime or Now TV.
- Who is exempt from a TV Licence in the UK?
There are several people who are exempt from needing a TV licence, the most important one is people that are aged 75 and over who receive Pension Credit, there are people who are blind and severely sight impaired are exempt and people who qualify for residential care and are disabled, over 60 or retired.
Did you know that businesses that provide units of overnight accommodation such as hotels and mobile units don’t need TV licences?
- What does a TV License pay for?
A TV licence enables cover for you to watch or record TV programmes but did you know that the money actually pays for the BBC to produce content not just for TV but for radio too. What’s more, it’s not just broadcasting but they also invest in new technology to make sure their content is easily available to everyone.
The cost of administering the TV Licence is less than you might think.
- What happens if you don’t pay for a TV Licence?
The TV licence ensures you pay your fair share and protects and supports the programmes and services you love. If you don’t buy a TV licence you could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
- Assistance with your bills?
Our team is partnered with a service that helps you with the setup of your bills, including setting up your TV licence for your first move, or whether you just need to change the address to your new home. All you need to do is register your details with us and then sit tight and let us take care of it for you, we have got you covered!
As a rule of thumb, you will need a TV Licence if you watch or record programmes as they are being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or you download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer. In some cases, you may be able to get a licence for a single device.
We hope you enjoyed our article about paying for a tv licence. We’ve provided some useful information below to help you make the most of your home move. If you have any other questions or concerns about moving home, please contact us anytime at Moving Home Assistant Thank you for reading, we are always excited when one of our posts is able to provide useful information on a topic like this!
